Clamshell device

ABSTRACT

A clamshell device includes a cover, a flexible supporting plate, and a base. The cover includes a notch, a friction edge, and a lateral slant surface located at an inner wall of the notch. The supporting plate includes a curvy rim, an elongated groove, and a lateral post. The supporting plate is installed on a base and aligned with the notch. When the cover is rotated at a supporting angle, the friction edge is pressed against the curvy rim of the supporting plate. Consequently, the curvy rim is deformed toward the elongated groove to result in interference, and the supporting plate provides a friction force to allow the cover to be fixed at the supporting angle. At the same time, the interference between the lateral post of the supporting plate and the lateral slant surface can facilitate the cover to be fixed at the supporting angle.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a clamshell device, and moreparticularly to a clamshell device with a supporting function.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A small-sized electronic device with a cover is usually equipped with amechanism for fixing the cover at a specified angle in order tofacilitate the user to use the electronic device. Take a barcode printerfor example. Before the barcode printer is used, the cover should beuplifted by a specified angle, and then the paper roll can be placedinto the internal portion of the base. After the cover is closed, theprinting task will be performed. For achieving this purpose, a hingestructure is employed to connect the cover with the base in order torotate the cover to an open position or a close position relative to thebase. Conventionally, when the cover is in the open position, the covershould be supported by one hand of the user in order to smoothly placethe paper roll into the internal portion of the base. Since the way ofsupporting the cover by the user's hand is very inconvenient, the hingedevice should have a function of fixing the cover at the open position.Moreover, since the angles of uplifting the cover are usually differentaccording to the usual practice of most users, a hinge structure forallowing the cover to be stayed at a plurality of open positions isintroduced into the market in order to comply with the diversifiedrequirements.

For example, a hinge assembly and a cover with such a hinge assembly aredisclosed in Taiwanese Patent No. M388820. FIG. 1 is a schematicexploded view illustrating a conventional hinge assembly, which isdisclosed in Taiwanese Patent No. M388820.

As shown in FIG. 1, the hinge assembly 1 comprises a shaft 11, a basebracket 12, a first pressing block 13, a second pressing block 14, anelastic member 15, a fastener 16, and a cover bracket 17.

The shaft 11 comprises a fixing part 11 a and a thread part 11 b. Thebase bracket 12 comprises a perforation 12 a and two concave structures12 b. The first pressing block 13 has an axial hole 13 a and two convexstructures 13 b. The second pressing block 14 has a through-hole 14 a.The elastic member 15 comprises a plurality of resilient discs. Thecover bracket 17 has an aperture 17 a.

Hereinafter, a process of assembling the hinge assembly 1 will beillustrated in more details. Firstly, the cover bracket 17 is fixed onan upper cover (not shown). Then, the aperture 17 a of the cover bracket17 is connected to the fixing part 11 a of the shaft 11. Then, the basebracket 12 is fixed on a base (not shown). In addition, the base bracket12 is pivotally connected to the shaft 11 through the perforation 12 a.Then, the first pressing block 13 is pivotally connected to the shaft 11through the axial hole 13 a, and the two convex structures 13 b of thefirst pressing block 13 are respectively embedded into the two concavestructures 12 b of the base bracket 12. Then, the second pressing block14 is sheathed around the shaft 11 through the through-hole 14 a. Inaddition, the first pressing block 13 and the second pressing block 14have complementary convex structures and concave structures at thefacing surfaces. Consequently, when the second pressing block 14 isrotated in a specified direction relative to the first pressing block13, the first pressing block 13 and the second pressing block 14 aredistant from each other. Then, the elastic member 15 is sheathed aroundthe shaft 11 and sustained against the second pressing block 14.Afterwards, the fastener 16 is engaged with the thread part 11 b of theshaft 11. Consequently, the fastener 16 is fixed on the shaft 11 toprevent detachment of any component which is sheathed around the shaft11.

In a case that the upper cover is in a close state, the second pressingblock 14 is in close contact with the first pressing block 13.Meanwhile, the second pressing block 14 is no longer sustained againstthe elastic member 15.

In a case that the cover is distant from the base and rotated to aspecified angle, the second pressing block 14 is moved in the directiondistant from the first pressing block 13 to compress the elastic member15. Consequently, a friction force is generated between the secondpressing block 14 and the elastic member 15. In other words, when theupper cover is rotated to be fixed at any angle, the upper cover ispositioned by the friction force.

The conventional hinge assembly disclosed in Taiwanese Patent No.M388820, however, still has some drawbacks. For example, since thestructure of the hinge assembly 1 is complicated, it is difficult toassemble the hinge assembly 1. Moreover, if any component is damaged,the hinge assembly 1 will malfunction. Under this circumstance, the riskof resulting in damage of the hinge assembly 1 is increased, and thedifficulty of maintaining the hinge assembly 1 is raised. Therefore,there is a need of providing an improved hinge assembly to obviate thedrawbacks encountered from the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a clamshell device with a simplifiedstructure.

In accordance with an aspect of the present invention, there is provideda clamshell device. The clamshell device includes a cover, a supportingplate, and a base. The cover is disposed over the base. The cover has anotch, and the notch has a friction edge. The supporting plate isdisposed on the base and aligned with the notch, and includes a curvyrim, a first supporting rim and an elongated groove. The elongatedgroove is formed in the supporting plate and located beside the curvyrim. The first supporting rim is extended from a first end of the curvyrim and connected to the base, so that the supporting plate is fixed onthe base. When the cover is in a close status, the supporting plate ispenetrated through the notch, so that the base is covered by the cover.When the cover is at a supporting angle rotated relative to the base,the friction edge of the notch is pressed against the curvy rim of thesupporting plate to deform the curvy rim toward the elongated groove, sothat the cover is stayed at the supporting angle.

In an embodiment, the supporting plate is flexible.

In an embodiment, the supporting plate further includes a secondsupporting rim and a pivotal hole. The second supporting rim is extendedfrom a second end of the curvy rim. The pivotal hole is located at ajunction between the first supporting rim and the second supporting rim.The cover further includes a shaft. The shaft is located beside thenotch of the cover and pivotally coupled to the pivotal hole of thesupporting plate, so that the cover is rotatable relative to the base.

In an embodiment, the supporting plate further includes a lateral post.The lateral post is located at a junction between the curvy rim and thesecond supporting rim. A lateral slant surface is located at an innerwall of the notch. When the cover is rotated relative to the base at thesupporting angle, the lateral post of the supporting plate is pushed bythe lateral slant surface of the cover, so that the supporting plate ismoved toward an external side of the cover to facilitate the cover to befixed at the supporting angle.

In an embodiment, when the cover is rotated relative to the base at anon-supporting angle, the friction edge of the notch is not pressedagainst the curvy rim of the supporting plate, so that the cover is notsupported by the supporting plate.

In an embodiment, the supporting plate further includes at least onesalient, which is formed on the curvy rim. During the cover is rotated,the salient provides a tactile feel.

The above objects and advantages of the present invention will becomemore readily apparent to those ordinarily skilled in the art afterreviewing the following detailed description and accompanying drawings,in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a conventional hingeassembly;

FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell deviceaccording to a first embodiment of the present invention and taken alonga first viewpoint;

FIG. 3 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention and takenalong a second viewpoint;

FIG. 4 is a schematic side view illustrating the clamshell deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which thecover is in a close status;

FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which thecover is at a first supporting angle relative to the base;

FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which thecover is at a second supporting angle relative to the base;

FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention and takenalong a first viewpoint;

FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell deviceaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention and takenalong a second viewpoint;

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell deviceaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention, in whichthe cover is at a first supporting angle relative to the base;

FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell deviceaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention and taken alonga first viewpoint; and

FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell deviceaccording to the third embodiment of the present invention and takenalong a second viewpoint.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

In a first embodiment and a second embodiment of the present invention,a clamshell device with a cover is provided, wherein the cover isrotatable relative to a base and can be stayed at one of a plurality ofpositions.

Please refer to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a schematic exploded viewillustrating a clamshell device according to a first embodiment of thepresent invention and taken along a first viewpoint. FIG. 3 is aschematic exploded view illustrating the clamshell device according tothe first embodiment of the present invention and taken along a secondviewpoint.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the clamshell device 2 comprises a cover 21,a supporting plate 22, and a base 23.

The cover 21 comprises a notch 211 and a shaft 212. The notch 211 has afriction edge 211 a and a lateral slant surface 211 b. The lateral slantsurface 211 b is located at an inner wall of the notch 211. The shaft212 is located beside the notch 211. The supporting plate 22 comprises acurvy rim 221, a first supporting rim 222, a second supporting rim 223,a pivotal hole 224, an elongated groove 225, and a lateral post 226. Thefirst supporting rim 222 is extended from a first end of the curvy rim221. The second supporting rim 223 is extended from a second end of thecurvy rim 221. The pivotal hole 224 is located at the junction betweenthe first supporting rim 222 and the second supporting rim 223. Theelongated groove 225 is formed in the supporting plate 22 and locatedbeside the curvy rim 221. The lateral post 226 is located at thejunction between the curvy rim 221 and the second supporting rim 223. Inaddition, the supporting plate 22 is flexible.

Hereinafter, a process of assembling the clamshell device according tothe first embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated withreference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Firstly, the first supporting rim 222 of thesupporting plate 22 is connected to the base 23, so that the supportingplate 22 is fixed on the base 23. Then, the cover 21 is placed over thebase 23, and the shaft 212 of the cover 21 is pivotally coupled to thepivotal hole 224 of the supporting plate 22. Consequently, the cover 21is rotatable relative to the base 23. In addition, the notch 211 of thecover 21 is aligned with the supporting plate 22. Consequently, uponrotation of the cover 21, the supporting plate 22 is allowed to bepenetrated through the notch 211.

Hereinafter, the operations of the clamshell device according to thefirst embodiment of the present invention will be illustrated withreference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. FIG. 4 is a schematic side viewillustrating the clamshell device according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention, in which the cover is in a close status. FIG. 5is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention, in which thecover is at a first supporting angle relative to the base. FIG. 6 is aschematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell device accordingto the first embodiment of the present invention, in which the cover isat a second supporting angle relative to the base.

In a case that the cover 21 is in the close status, the base 23 iscovered by the cover 23. Meanwhile, the supporting plate 22 ispenetrated through the notch 211. In a case that the cover 21 is at afirst supporting angle relative to the base 23 (see FIG. 5), thefriction edge 211 a of the notch 211 is pressed against the curvy rim221 of the supporting plate 22, so that the curvy rim 221 is deformedtoward the elongated groove 225. Due to the flexible restoring force ofthe curvy rim 221, the interference between the curvy rim 221 and thefriction edge 211 a provides a friction force to allow the cover 21 tobe fixed at the first supporting angle. In a case that the cover 21 isat a second supporting angle relative to the base 23 (see FIG. 6), thefriction edge 211 a of the notch 211 is also pressed against the curvyrim 221. Consequently, the friction force generated from theinterference between the curvy rim 221 and the friction edge 211 a alsoallows the cover 21 to be stayed at the second supporting angle. Thatis, as long as the cover 21 is opened, the friction edge 211 a of thenotch 211 is pressed against the curvy rim 221 of the supporting plate22, and thus the cover 21 can be supported and fixed by the supportingplate 22.

When the cover 21 is rotated relative to the base 23 at any supportingangle (e.g. the first supporting angle as shown in FIG. 5 and the secondsupporting angle as shown in FIG. 6), the lateral post 226 of thesupporting plate 22 is pushed by the lateral slant surface 211 b withinthe notch 211 of the cover 21, so that the supporting plate 22 is movedtoward the external side of the cover 21. Meanwhile, due to the flexiblerestoring force of the supporting plate 22, the interference between thelateral post 226 and the lateral slant surface 211 b provides anotherfriction force to facilitate the cover 21 to be fixed at any supportingangle more stably.

In this embodiment, the distance between the curvy rim 221 and thepivotal hole 224 from a supporting point x (see FIG. 6) to the firstsupporting rim 222 is shorter than the distance between the curvy rim221 and the pivotal hole 224 from the supporting point x to the secondsupporting rim 223. Consequently, when the cover 21 is rotated relativeto the base 23 to the region between the supporting point x and theclose position (i.e. at the non-supporting angle), the friction edge 211a of the notch 211 of the cover 21 is no longer pressed against thecurvy rim 221 of the supporting plate 22, the cover 21 fails to besupported and fixed by the supporting plate 22.

Hereinafter, a clamshell device according to a second embodiment of thepresent invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 7 and 8.FIG. 7 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell deviceaccording to a second embodiment of the present invention and takenalong a first viewpoint. FIG. 8 is a schematic exploded viewillustrating the clamshell device according to the second embodiment ofthe present invention and taken along a second viewpoint.

As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the clamshell device 2′ comprises a cover21′, a supporting plate 22′, and a base 23′.

The cover 21′ comprises a notch 211′ and the shaft 212′. The notch 211′has a friction edge 211 a′ and a lateral slant surface 211 b′. Thelateral slant surface 211 b′ is located at an inner wall of the notch211′. The shaft 212′ is located beside the notch 211′ of the cover 21′.The supporting plate 22′ comprises a curvy rim 221′, a first supportingrim 222′, a second supporting rim 223′, a pivotal hole 224′, anelongated groove 225′, and a lateral post 226. The first supporting rim222′ is extended from a first end of the curvy rim 221′. The secondsupporting rim 223′ is extended from a second end of the curvy rim 221′.The pivotal hole 224′ is located at the junction between the firstsupporting rim 222′ and the second supporting rim 223′. The elongatedgroove 225′ is formed in the supporting plate 22′ and located beside thecurvy rim 221′. The lateral post 226′ is located at the junction betweenthe curvy rim 221′ and the second supporting rim 223′. In addition, thesupporting plate 22′ is flexible.

The assembling process and operating principle of the clamshell deviceof the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment,and are not redundantly described herein.

The clamshell device 2′ of the second embodiment is distinguished fromthe clamshell device 2 of the first embodiment in that the distancebetween the curvy rim 221′ and the pivotal hole 224′ of the supportingplate 22′ from the second supporting rim 223′ to the first supportingrim 222′ is kept unchanged.

FIG. 9 is a schematic perspective view illustrating the clamshell deviceaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention, in whichthe cover is at a first supporting angle relative to the base. Since thedistance between the curvy rim 221′ and the pivotal hole 224′ of thesupporting plate 22′ is kept unchanged, the friction edge 211 a′ of thenotch 211′ can be pressed against the curvy rim 221′ of the supportingplate 22′ whenever the cover 21′ is opened at any angle. Consequently,the curvy rim 221′ is deformed toward the elongated groove 225′, and theinterference between the curvy rim 221′ and the friction edge 211 a′provides a friction force to allow the cover 21′ to be fixed at anysupporting angle.

Hereinafter, a clamshell device according to a third embodiment of thepresent invention will be illustrated with reference to FIGS. 10 and 11.FIG. 10 is a schematic exploded view illustrating a clamshell deviceaccording to a third embodiment of the present invention and taken alonga first viewpoint. FIG. 11 is a schematic exploded view illustrating theclamshell device according to the third embodiment of the presentinvention and taken along a second viewpoint.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the clamshell device 3 comprises a cover31, a supporting plate 32, and a base 33.

The cover 31 comprises a notch 311 and a shaft 312. The notch 311 has afriction edge 311 a and a lateral slant surface 311 b. The lateral slantsurface 311 b is located at an inner wall of the notch 311. The shaft312 is located beside the notch 311. The supporting plate 32 comprises acurvy rim 321, a first supporting rim 322, a second supporting rim 323,a pivotal hole 324, an elongated groove 325, a lateral post 326, and asalient 327. The first supporting rim 322 is extended from a first endof the curvy rim 321. The second supporting rim 323 is extended from asecond end of the curvy rim 321. The pivotal hole 324 is located at thejunction between the first supporting rim 322 and the second supportingrim 323. The elongated groove 325 is formed in the supporting plate 32and located beside the curvy rim 321. The lateral post 326 is located atthe junction between the curvy rim 321 and the second supporting rim323. The salient 327 is formed on the curvy rim 321. In addition, thesupporting plate 32 is flexible.

The assembling process and operating principle of the clamshell deviceof the second embodiment are similar to those of the first embodiment,and are not redundantly described herein.

The clamshell device 3 of the third embodiment is distinguished from theclamshell device 2 of the first embodiment in that the salient 327 isformed on the curvy rim 321 of the supporting plate 32.

During the cover 31 is rotated by the user, a larger force is requiredto allow the friction edge 311 a to be sustained against and transferredthrough the salient 327. Since the user can obviously feel that thecover 31 is transferred through the salient 327, the tactile feel isenhanced during the operation of the clamshell device 3.

In other embodiments, a plurality of salients 327 are formed on thecurvy rim 321 of the supporting plate 32 for facilitating the user toclearly realize that the original supporting angle of the cover 31 isswitched to another supporting angle.

In the above embodiments, the notch is located at a single side of thecover, and the supporting plate is located at a single side of the base.Alternatively, in some embodiments, the clamshell device may comprisetwo notches and two supporting plates, wherein the two notches arelocated at both sides of the cover and the two supporting plates arelocated at both sides of the base. In such way, the cover may be stayedat one of a plurality of positions.

In the above embodiments, since the cover has the notch with thefriction edge and the supporting plate has the curvy rim and theelongated groove, the cover is rotatable relative to the base and fixedat one of a plurality of supporting angles.

From the above description, the clamshell device of the presentinvention is capable of fixing the cover at any supporting angle byforming a notch in a cover and installing a supporting plate on a base.In other words, the clamshell device has simplified structure and can beeasily applied to various machines. Moreover, the process of maintainingthe clamshell device is very easy by simply replacing the supportingplate with a new. The supporting plate may be replaced by the userhimself (or herself). Consequently, the process of maintaining theclamshell device is time-saving, and the use life of the machine isprolonged.

While the invention has been described in terms of what is presentlyconsidered to be the most practical and preferred embodiments, it is tobe understood that the invention needs not be limited to the disclosedembodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover variousmodifications and similar arrangements included within the spirit andscope of the appended claims which are to be accorded with the broadestinterpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similarstructures.

What is claimed is:
 1. A clamshell device, comprising: a cover disposedover a base, wherein said cover has a notch, and said notch has afriction edge; and a supporting plate disposed on said base and alignedwith said notch, and comprising a curvy rim, a first supporting rim andan elongated groove, wherein said elongated groove is formed in saidsupporting plate and located beside said curvy rim, wherein said firstsupporting rim is extended from a first end of said curvy rim andconnected to said base, so that said supporting plate is fixed on saidbase, wherein when said cover is in a close status, said supportingplate is penetrated through said notch, so that said base is covered bysaid cover, wherein when said cover is at a supporting angle rotatedrelative to said base, said friction edge of said notch is pressedagainst said curvy rim of said supporting plate to deform said curvy rimtoward said elongated groove, so that said cover is stayed at saidsupporting angle.
 2. The clamshell device according to claim 1 whereinsaid supporting plate is flexible.
 3. The clamshell device according toclaim 1 wherein said supporting plate further comprises a secondsupporting rim and a pivotal hole, wherein said second supporting rim isextended from a second end of said curvy rim, and said pivotal hole islocated at a junction between said first supporting rim and said secondsupporting rim, wherein said cover further comprises a shaft, whereinsaid shaft is located beside said notch of said cover and pivotallycoupled to said pivotal hole of said supporting plate, so that saidcover is rotatable relative to said base.
 4. The clamshell deviceaccording to claim 1 wherein said supporting plate further comprises alateral post, said lateral post is located at a junction between saidcurvy rim and said second supporting rim, and a lateral slant surface islocated at an inner wall of said notch, wherein when said cover isrotated relative to said base at said supporting angle, said lateralpost of said supporting plate is pushed by said lateral slant surface ofsaid cover, so that said supporting plate is moved toward an externalside of said cover to facilitate said cover to be fixed at saidsupporting angle.
 5. The clamshell device according to claim 1 whereinwhen said cover is rotated relative to said base at a non-supportingangle, said friction edge of said notch is not pressed against saidcurvy rim of said supporting plate, so that said cover is not supportedby said supporting plate.
 6. The clamshell device according to claim 1wherein said supporting plate further comprises at least one salient,which is formed on said curvy rim, wherein during said cover is rotated,said salient provides a tactile feel.